Date: April 13, 2011
Contact: Mark Brennan, 570-340-5244
SCRANTON, PA –Memorial Day weekend will debut an exciting year of rail excursions and events at the Steamtown National Historic Site. Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29, the National Park Service will host an event to pay tribute to American servicemen during World War II, with a display of military equipment, vehicles and articles from the "Homefront." A military encampment will be set up on the park grounds to showcase these items, plus military re-enactors will explain to visitors of the hardships of life during the war.
Displays of artifacts from several military conflicts will also be part of the weekend events. The Northeastern PA Marine Corps League Museum will showcase uniforms, weaponry and some personal items of Marines used during the years.
The American Red Cross will also take part in this celebration when they bring the Bloodmobile to Steamtown. The Red Cross in America has roots going back to when Clara Barton helped soldiers in the Civil War, leading to their obtaining a US charter in 1881.
Steamtown's popular rail trip "The Scranton Limited" will continue its journey through the railroad yard and the edge of downtown Scranton on five trips each day.
In addition to all of the above, Steamtown and the Canadian Pacific Railway will offer a 44-mile round trip rail excursion from Scranton to Nicholson, PA and Hop Bottom and return. The journey departs at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 28 only, and will take approximately 3 hours. Highlights of the excursion are the 3,629 foot long Nicholson tunnel and a stop over the Tunkhannock Creek viaduct in Nicholson. This 2,375 foot long bridge is made of steel reinforced concrete, and maintains its reputation as the largest railroad viaduct of its type in the world. The special passenger train departs Steamtown's boarding platform at 1:00 PM, and will return around 4:10 PM. There will be no de-training in Nicholson, or the turnaround point which is in Hop Bottom, PA. A short stop above the Tunkhannock Creek viaduct will take place as the train journeys in each direction. This is the first train for Steamtown to run with the Canadian Pacific Railway since 2009, and the first one that will feature diesel electric locomotives instead of a steam locomotive.
Prices for tickets on the train to Nicholson:
· Adults (aged 16 – 61): $44.00
· Seniors (aged 62 and over): $39.00
· Children (ages 6-15): $32.00
· under 6 no charge
· First Class aboard Lehigh Valley Presidential Car: $100.00, all ages
Tickets are available for sale between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM, seven days a week, beginning Saturday, April 16, 2011. The direct phone number to the ticket booth is (570) 340- 5204. Train tickets for all other 2011 excursions offered by Steamtown NHS are also available at these times.
Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. From I-81, follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then, follow the signs to the main entrance at Lackawanna and Cliff Avenues. Additional details regarding interpretive and educational programs and activities may be obtained by calling (570) 340-5200 or toll free (888) 693-9391, or by visiting the Steamtown web site at www.nps.gov/stea.
